How Can I Successfully Prepare a Wedding Dessert Bar?

[chefann]

Can't say I blame her. My SIL complained at my wedding that DH and I didn't get cake all over each other. You know what, though - she wasn't the one who had to (potentially) walk around with frosting on her face, or remove a bunch of makeup trying to get it off.My sister had layered cheesecake and chiffon cake for her wedding. It was really good. And because we didn't get a decorated traditional wedding cake (we got sheet cakes and boxed them up the night before the wedding in individual boxes as favors), it was a lot cheaper.

 

[PamperChefCarol]

I'd be leery of serving trifles at all, just because they're gorgeous when served, but as soon as a couple people have helped themselves, they become a mess. Items that are pre-portioned (even if that's just cut into small squares and left on the tray with a serving spatula) will stay neater and allow you to control the number of servings from each recipe. And as someone pointed out above, the more variety you have, the more you'll need to make total because everyone will want a taste of each. I think 3-4 recipes will be plenty.

The Profiterole Puffs from the theme shows a couple of years ago (recipe still on CC) are easy and tasty, and can be frozen, even after they're filled.

I am totally with Anne on this one. Trifles are beautiful, but the mess factor creeps in real quick!!

With all the cake ideas, have you considered cupcakes??? You could make mini cupcakes. As for all your options, I agree with another Cheffer... way too many options. Everyone will want to take one of each. Narrow the options to now more than five, hitting the major dessert groups: nuts, chocolate, fruit and cheese(cake)

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Um... the tradition is cutting cake and feeding it to each other, not smashing it. That's a recent, rude, variation that should be stopped.

Here! Here!

When we got married, there were people actually waiting for us to smash cake - and we had agreed way before the wedding that it would not happen! What is the purpose of smashing cake all over each other? It takes a beautiful symbolic gesture of taking care of each other, and turns it into a mockery.


Sorry it that sounds feisty..... I guess you struck a nerve.

 

[Kitchen2u]

Wow, the wedding is in 17 days!!! I know you guys are going to think I'm crazy, but I've enjoyed baking for my daughter's wedding. Here's our final dessert menu.

Banana Cheesecake
Double Chocolate Cheesecake
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
White Chocolate Cheesecake
Lemon Cheesecake
New York Style Cheesecake
Brownie Truffle Cups
Pecan Tassies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites
Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Marble Square Brownies
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Brownies
Double Frosted Bourbon Brownies
Snowballs
Fresh Fruit
And 300 Lemon Cheese Spritz Cookies for favors

My aunt and 4 sisters are each making either one of the brownies or cookies, so I haven't made everything! I don't have to serve the desserts, there are friends that will do that.

I have 4 of the cheesecakes in the freezer and all but one batch of the favor cookies. I used the flower mold on the cookie press for the cookies and sprinkled them with either purple or silver sugar glitter and put icing in the center and topped that with the sugar glitter too. They look really cute.

Abbie wants to use Pampered Chef platters for the desserts...she's such a little PC pimp! I got her a nice cake platter at one of her showers that we will serve one of the cheesecakes on.

I plan to cut the cheesecakes into small squares so they will be more sample size. I know I'll want to try more than 1 flavor! My DH insisted I make the PB Cup one to be sure it was ok since I've never made one before. He was very satisfied!

My daughter's darling future MIL still thinks they need a wedding cake...it's tradition! Not sure what I'll do if she shows up with a store bought wedding cake!

Ok, do you think I missed anything? LOL I guess it's a little heavy on chocolate, but...

WOW! Lots of LOVE and work!

 

[cookingwithhart]

WOW! Lots of LOVE and work!

It's been fun doing it for her...she's my only daughter. But my heart stopped when one of her friends started talking about needing someone to make cakes for her wedding. Thankfully my neice was there and she told her that her mom made her wedding cake and I kept my mouth shut!
I should get most of the baking finished this weekend. That will give my back a little time to recover!

 

[cookingwithhart]

The wedding was beautiful!!! It turned out to be a perfect day for an outdoor wedding in the mid-west. Everyone raved about the dessert bar, which was a site to behold! A tasteful homemade cake joined the dessert bar... without a topper. My sisters and my daughter's wonderful friends took over at the wedding and I was able to sit and enjoy the occasion. Thank you all for you suggestions and well wishes.

 

[pampcheflisa]

The wedding was beautiful!!! It turned out to be a perfect day for an outdoor wedding in the mid-west. Everyone raved about the dessert bar, which was a site to behold! A tasteful homemade cake joined the dessert bar... without a topper. My sisters and my daughter's wonderful friends took over at the wedding and I was able to sit and enjoy the occasion. Thank you all for you suggestions and well wishes.

That is AWESOME to hear that, I've been looking for an update to the dessert bar. Will you please share some pictures when you get the chance, I would LOVE to see it!!!

 

[KellyTheChef]

The wedding was beautiful!!! It turned out to be a perfect day for an outdoor wedding in the mid-west. Everyone raved about the dessert bar, which was a site to behold! A tasteful homemade cake joined the dessert bar... without a topper. My sisters and my daughter's wonderful friends took over at the wedding and I was able to sit and enjoy the occasion. Thank you all for you suggestions and well wishes.

I don't know why....your post brought tears to my eyes! I guess I cry at every wedding!! I am glad that it turned out the way you all wanted it!